Application Device and Method for Applying Additional Elements in an Application Direction

ABSTRACT

Described and depicted is an application device for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, having at least one transport device for transporting the packages along a transport track and having at least one application apparatus comprising at least one applicator for applying the additional elements to the package, wherein the applicator is provided on the application apparatus to be adjustable from a pick-up position for picking up the additional elements to an application position for applying the additional elements to the packages and back. So that less constructive and technical effort relating to the method is required for the application of the additional elements in different orientations, it is provided that the at least one application apparatus, as a result of an adjustment, in particular of the applicator, overlapping with the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, is designed for picking up the additional elements in a pick-up orientation in space by the applicator and for applying the additional elements in an application orientation inclined from the pick-up orientation in space by the applicator.

The invention relates to an application device for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, having at least one transport device for transporting the packages along a transport track and having at least one application apparatus comprising at least one applicator for applying the additional elements to the package, wherein the at least one applicator is provided on the application apparatus to be adjustable from a pick-up position for picking up the additional elements, to an application position for applying the additional elements to the packages and back. The invention further relates to a method for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, in particular using said application device.

Packages are formed by packaging and the packaged good received therein. For example, bottles, tubular bags, cans, etc. may be possible packaging. The present packages are primarily composite packages, which are used as alternatives to bottles or cans. Corresponding packaging is mainly filled with the packaged good and sealed in a so-called filling machine, which for cardboard composite packages are often also referred to as forming/filling/sealing machines based on their main functions, that are forming the packaging, filling the packaging and sealing the packaging.

Possible packaged goods are in particular flowable, i.e. liquid or at least pasty and, as required, can also contain lumpy parts. Dry and granulated packaged goods are not excluded, but do not play a significant role in practice. Often, foodstuffs are received in the packages, such as drinks, in particular milk, juices, nectars, dairy products and soups. In the case of drinks, cardboard composite packages are also referred to as drinks carton composite packages.

Composite packages are formed from interconnected packaging materials which form a sheet-like layer structure, the so-called packaging laminate. Cardboard composite packages have a cardboard layer, which gives the package stability and can serves as a carrier layer for plastic layers arranged on both sides of the cardboard layer. Plastic layers serve as liquid barriers, for example. Thus, for example, the penetration of flowable products into the packaging laminate, in particular the cardboard layer, or even the leakage of flowable products is also avoided, as is the penetration of moisture from the outside. Furthermore, thermoplastic materials can be sealed to form firmly bonded sealing seams so as to form a packaging and seal the package. The packaging laminate may comprise further layers and packaging materials, for example an aluminium layer provides a barrier effect against gases and light. To be able to fold the sheet-like packaging laminate, i.e. to be able to fold it by machine, creases are often introduced into the packaging laminate which predefine the later fold lines. The folds form the package edges on the package and/or facilitate the shaping of the bottom and/or top of the package. Most packaging laminates are also printed with a decor.

The packaging laminate can be cut before forming the packaging, whereby so-called blanks are created. These may be further processed into so-called packaging casing blanks. For this purpose, the longitudinal edges are overlapped and sealed together to form a longitudinal sealing seam. A pipe-like casing or a so-called packaging casing blank or packaging sleeve is obtained in this way. Alternatively, the packaging laminate can be provided as continuous material, in particular as rolled goods, from which a packaging can be formed without first creating a blank.

Packages, such as those for foodstuffs, which can be designed as cardboard composite packages, are partially provided with additional components on the outer side, which for example can be designed as straws, which are also referred to as drinking straws, resealable spouts and/or opening elements, tear-off tabs, which are also referred to as pull tabs, labels or similar. For this purpose, special application devices are used which guide the packages with a transport device along a predetermined transport track along the application device. The packages can thus be guided past the application device or through the application device, for example. Furthermore, an application apparatus is provided, which comprises at least one applicator, which picks up the additional elements at a pick-up position and applies them to packages successively moved along the transport track at an application position. Thus, the additional component is pressed into an adhesive provided on the package. However, alternatively, the adhesive can also be provided on the additional element. The adhesive then sets and the additional component remains permanently secured to the package until the user deliberately removes the additional component from the package, for instance to consume the drink packaged in the package.

Corresponding application devices and methods are known for example from DE 29 02 899 A1 or EP 1 042 172 B1 These differ in that, among other things, attaching the additional elements is carried out on packages which are moved cyclically or continuously along the transport track. The orientation of the additional elements on the packages is adapted according to the orientation of the transport track of the packages to the axis of rotation of the application device and/or according to the orientation of additional elements during pick-up by the application device. Particularly simple and therefore preferred are the corresponding orientations of the additional elements described in DE 29 02 899 A1 or the EP 1 042 172 B1. Should therefrom be deviated, a complex design of the application device and a complex orientation of the individual modules to each other is required. This would also mean an increased space requirement since the individual modules cannot be oriented in a common plane or at least parallel to a common plane.

The object of the present invention is therefore to design and refine the application device and the method of the type referred to at the outset and previously described in detail in such a way that for the application of the additional elements in different orientations, a lower constructive and process-technical effort are required.

The object is achieved with an application device according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the at least one application apparatus, as a result of an adjustment overlapping with the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, in particular of the at least one applicator, is designed for picking up the additional elements in a pick-up orientation in space by the at least one applicator and for applying the additional elements in an application orientation inclined from the pick-up orientation in space by the at least one applicator.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved according to claim 11 by a method for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, in particular by using an application device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

-   -   in which the additional elements arranged in an application         orientation in space are picked up by at least one applicator in         a pick-up position,     -   in which the additional elements are adjusted by an adjusting         movement of the at least one applicator from the pick-up         position to the application position, and     -   in which the additional elements are adjusted by an adjusting         movement of an application apparatus, overlapping the adjustment         of the at least one applicator from the pick-up position to the         application position, in particular of the at least one         applicator, from the pick-up orientation to an application         orientation in space.

The invention has recognised that the use of application apparatuses which can pick up the additional components in an orientation in space, specifically the pick-up orientation, and can apply them in another orientation in space, specifically the application orientation, can lead to a simplified application of additional elements. This is the case although such application apparatuses must be designed to be significantly more complex, which ultimately leads to a method-wise more complex handling of the additional elements. This is due to the fact that the change in the orientation of the additional elements must be carried out during the adjustment of the applicators from the pick-up position to the application position and thus appropriately coordinated. At the same time, it should be avoided that the overall more complex adjustment of the additional elements from the pick-up position to the application position leads to losses with regard to the reliability of the method. An undesired stopping of equipment and an increased rate of rejects can lead to increased costs for the operator of the application device. On the cost side, despite the increased complexity with regard to the application apparatus and its operation, it has been shown that this additional expense is justified since, surprisingly, it leads overall to a simplification of the application device and of the method for the application of the additional elements.

In the present case, packages are understood to mean, in particular, filled packages or containers, wherein the filling is preferably foodstuffs, in particular flowable foodstuffs. Such foodstuffs may be drinks, for example. For foodstuffs, in particular drinks, additional elements such as straws have particular significance.

In principle, the packages can be made of different materials, such as plastic. However, the installation of additional elements to cardboard composite packages is particularly expedient and desired by customers. These involve packages made of a packaging material in the form of a laminate, which may have a cardboard layer and outer plastic layers, in particular thermoplastic layers, for example made of polyethylene (PE). The cardboard confers sufficient stability to the packages, so that the packages can be easily handled and for example stacked. The plastic layers protect the cardboard from moisture and the foodstuffs from the absorption of undesired substances from the package. In addition, further layers can be provided, such as an aluminium layer, which prevents a diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the packaging material. If necessary, however, other composite packages made of differently constructed packaging materials would also be suitable.

In the production of corresponding cardboard plastic composite packages, packages which are initially open on one side are typically formed from the packaging material and then filled and sealed. The finished packages can then be provided immediately afterwards or in a separate process decoupled from the filling with at least one additional element.

Regardless of the type of package, additional elements in particular relate to straws, which may be packaged separately for reasons of hygiene. For the sake of simplicity, plastic films are suitable for packaging. Particularly preferred are so-called blister packs, which are usually transparent packages that reveal the wrapped straw. The straws or other additional elements are then sealed between two plastic films, for example. Straws attached to the packages make it possible to easily consume drinks on the go and without the risk of spilling the drink.

However, instead of straws or wrapped straws, spouts or closures can also be specified as additional elements on the packages. The packages can then be easily unscrewed, opened and/or poured, which makes it easier to consume the packaged foodstuffs. However, additional components of the foodstuff can also be provided as additional components on the packages, which, for example, are mixed with the other foodstuff just before consumption. In particular, flavours, vitamins, lumpy portions or the like are referred to here. It is also conceivable that the packages are provided with customer information or advertisements in the form of additional elements. These can be slips of paper or small brochures. It is also possible to specify giveaways or marketing products such as toys or similar as additional elements on the packages.

The at least one applicator can preferably be provided on the application apparatus to be adjustable from a pick-up orientation in the pick-up position into an application orientation in the application position and back. This makes it possible, in a structurally relatively simple way, to ensure the pick-up of the additional elements in the pick-up orientation and the application of the additional elements in the application orientation. By means of a corresponding adjustment of the at least one applicator, the corresponding adjustment of the additional element can be achieved simply and reliably. In this connection, it is particularly suitable for the provision of a suitable application orientation of the additional elements in the application position of the at least one applicator if the application orientation is inclined with respect to the pick-up orientation. Thus, for example, an additional element in the form of a straw can be simply and reliably applied diagonally to the package, but still picked up in a simple manner in an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the packaging by the application apparatus.

For ease of understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetitions, the application device and the method are described together in the following, without distinguishing in each case in detail between the application device and the method. However, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, given the context, which feature is preferred with respect to the application device and the method.

In a first, particularly preferred embodiment of the application device, the at least one applicator is arranged on the application apparatus pivotable about a positioning pivoting axis from the pick-up position into the application position and back. This has proven to be useful for the introduction and application of the additional elements and cannot only be constructively carried out with little effort, but also allows a very reliable and at the same time rapid application of the additional elements to the packages transported along the transport track past the application position of the applicator. This is even more the case if the applicator is rotatable from the pick-up position to the application position and back about a positioning axis of rotation. Then the at least one applicator can rotate about the positioning axis of rotation and thus be moved just like that successively from the pick-up position to the application position and back to the pick-up position again, without a complex control being required. This also avoids unnecessary accelerations of moving masses.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one applicator can be arranged on the application apparatus to be pivotable about an orientation pivoting axis or rotatable about an orientation axis of rotation from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back. This also leads to a structurally easy to realise and at the same time easy to control adjustment of the applicators from the pick-up orientation in the pick-up position to the application orientation in the application position. Last but not least, in this way a simple and reliable overlapping of the adjusting movements of the applicator can be realised, specifically from the pick-up position to the application position and back on the one hand and from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back on the other hand.

In order to be able to exploit the advantages of an adjustment of the at least one applicator in a preferred manner, it makes sense if the applicator is pivoted or rotated in the application orientation with respect to the pick-up orientation by at least 10°, preferably at least 20°, in particular at least 30°, particularly preferably at least 40°. In many cases, an adjustment about a greater angle provides advantages for the application of the additional elements. A pivoting or rotation of approximately 45°, for example, allows a relatively long straw to be attached to a given package. This can specifically be done in a simple manner diagonally to one of the side surfaces of the package. Nevertheless, the straw can then be picked up by the application apparatus in a vertical orientation or in an orientation parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package. Likewise, larger angles, such as those greater than 50° or even more, can be less preferred, to keep the constructive effort and the structural stress of the application apparatus low. Then, a smaller adjustment of the applicator in the opposite direction can be provided.

If the applicator is pivoted or rotated to adjust from the pick-up position to the application position and back, and at the same time pivoted or rotated from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back, it may be expedient, with regard to a preferably optimal application of the additional elements, if the orientation pivoting axis or orientation axis of rotation is significantly inclined relative to the positioning pivoting axis or the positioning axis of rotation. Thus, for example, it has proven to be expedient, depending on the particular application, if the orientation pivoting axis or the orientation axis of rotation forms an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 45°, in particular at least 70°, particularly preferably at least 80° with the positioning pivoting axis or the positioning axis of rotation. In the event of an angle of at least substantially 90° the overlapping adjusting movements of the at least one applicator from the pick-up position to the application position and back, on the one hand, and from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back, on the other hand, can be decoupled structurally from one another as much as possible. In other words, the pivoting or adjusting movements can be associated with different space directions.

To facilitate the adjustment of an applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back in a constructively simple manner, the applicator may comprise a holding section held pivotably or rotatably in the application apparatus, on which the applicator is held on the one hand and about which the applicator can be pivoted or rotated on the other, in order to move from the pick-up orientation to the application position and back. As required, the applicator may be connected to the holding section via a rod section, about the longitudinal axis of which the applicator can be rotated or pivoted in the recess of the holding section in the application apparatus.

For targeted adjustment of the at least one applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation, in particular also in coordination with the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, the applicator may be associated with a control device. This control device may then control the adjustment of the applicator between the pick-up orientation and the application orientation. It is particularly simple and reliable when the control device is designed for the forced adjustment of the applicator in the application orientation as a direct result of the adjustment of the applicator between the pick-up position and the application position. Thus, the overlapping adjusting movements of the applicator when adjusting from the pick-up position to the application position and from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation can be adapted in a simple manner to one another.

It is convenient for a reliable adjustment of the applicator with a long service life of the application apparatus if the at least one control device of the at least one applicator has at least one roller for rolling along on a control cam of the application device. Thus the roller of the control device rolls as forcibly on the control cam as possible when adjusting the applicator between the pick-up position and the application position. If the applicator is rotated in operation about a positioning axis of rotation to move from the pick-up position to the application position and back, it is particularly advantageous if the control cam is provided circumferentially on a control disc of the application apparatus. Irrespective of this, the applicator can be easily and selectively pivoted or rotated when the roller is connected to the applicator via at least one lever means. If the roller is adjusted in one direction at least substantially perpendicular to the orientation axis of rotation or orientation pivoting axis of the applicator as a result of the control cam, this results in pivoting or turning thereof about its orientation axis of rotation or orientation pivoting axis due to the corresponding torque on the applicator.

So that many additional elements can be applied to packages in a simple and reliable manner, it makes sense for a plurality of applicators to be arranged evenly distributed about a common pivoting axis or axis of rotation. In this case, the applicators are preferably arranged with regard to one another such that they form an applicator wheel. This simplifies the uniform application of many additional elements in quick succession. Furthermore, this leads to a constructive simplification if the pivoting axis or the axis of rotation is the positioning pivoting axis or the positioning axis of rotation of the applicators.

An expedient and reliable applicator may have an applicator finger that is adjustable relative to the applicator. The application finger can then hold an additional element on an additional element guide, to guide the additional element from the pick-up position to the application position along the additional element guide. Alternatively or additionally, the application finger can be adjustable in the application position in the direction of the package, to apply the additional element to the package. For pressing the additional elements onto the packages or on the additional element guide, the application finger can preferably be pivotable in the corresponding direction of a package and, in particular be spring-loaded. The handling of the additional elements by the application finger can be favored if it is designed for at least partially receiving an additional element and/or for holding the additional element, in particular on the additional element guide. For this purpose, the application finger can comprise a recess corresponding with the additional element.

Alternatively, but in particular additionally, the applicator can comprise a guide finger, which is preferably arranged adjacent to the application finger for cooperation with the application finger. The guide finger can be provided for supporting the transport of the additional elements to the packages and for guiding the additional elements in an interlocking manner from the pick-up position to the application position, in particular along the additional element guide. Alternatively or additionally, the guide finger can also be designed for picking up the additional elements in the pick-up position in an interlocking manner.

The simple and reliable transport of the packages along the transport track can be achieved by a transportation belt, in particular comprising recesses or cams for interacting with packages. So that the transportation belt does not impair the application of the additional elements, it is also advantageous if the transportation belt is provided on the side of the packages facing away from the at least one applicator.

Method-wise, for a quick and reliable application of the additional elements it is particularly preferred if the additional elements are pivoted about a positioning pivoting axis or rotated about a positioning axis of rotation by an adjusting movement of the at least one applicator from the pick-up position to the application position. Thus, in principle, the rotation of the applicator about the positioning axis of rotation allows higher application speeds.

With regard to the reliability and the speed of application, it is further expedient for the additional elements to be pivoted about an orientation pivoting axis or rotated about an orientation axis of rotation by an adjusting movement of an application apparatus from the pick-up orientation in space to an application orientation in space overlapping the adjustment of the at least one applicator from the pick-up position to the application position. To keep the masses of the application device to be accelerated low, it is particularly expedient to pivot the at least one applicator from the pick-up orientation in space to an application orientation in space about the orientation pivoting axis or to rotate it about the orientation axis of rotation.

In this connection, in the sense of an increasing decoupling of the overlapping adjusting movements of the applicator it is expedient if the orientation pivoting axis or the orientation axis of rotation is inclined relative to the positioning pivoting axis or the positioning axis of rotation, preferably at an angle of at least 20°, more preferably at least 45°, in particular at least 70°, more particularly at least 80°. The decoupling of the nevertheless overlapped adjusting movements is achieved at an angle of at least substantially 90°. In order to achieve a sufficient and thus suitable change of the additional elements picked up by the application apparatus, the at least one applicator can be pivoted or rotated by at least 10°, preferably at least 20°, in particular at least 30°, particularly preferably at least 40°, correspondingly about an orientation pivoting axis or an orientation axis of rotation.

If the at least one applicator is pivoted, in particular rotated, together with the application apparatus, in particular about a common positioning pivoting axis, from the pick-up position to the application position and back, likewise a structurally preferred decoupling of the individual adjusting movements of the applicator results. Insofar as the applicator moves together with the application apparatus, no separate drive and no separate guide of the applicator are required. In addition, the orientation of the applicator for picking up and applying the additional elements can be achieved by a mere relative movement of the applicator to the application apparatus.

On the other hand, the adjustment of the at least one applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back, which for the sake of simplicity is preferably a pivoting or a rotation of the applicator, can be carried out with respect to the application apparatus. The adjustment of the at least one applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back is thus in principle also independently adjustable from the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position and back.

The control of the method is greatly simplified when the at least one applicator is forcibly adjusted from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back as a result of the adjustment of the applicator between the pick-up position and the application position, by means of a corresponding additional control device. Thus, wear can be largely avoided if, for adjusting the applicator, a roller of the control device rolls along on a control cam of the application device, thereby causing the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation by adjusting the roller along the control cam. If the applicator rotates about the positioning axis of rotation, the control cam can be provided circumferentially on a cam disc for continuous control of the applicator.

To avoid disruptions during transport of the additional elements or incorrect orientations of the additional elements when applying the additional elements to the packages, the additional element can be at least partially received, held, guided along an additional element guide and/or applied to a package by a spring-loaded application finger. Each of the above functions of the application finger serves the controlled transport of the additional elements, with the advantageous effects of the corresponding functions complementing each other. Alternatively or additionally, the additional element can also be picked up by a guide finger in the pick-up position, held between the pick-up position and the application position, in particular together with the application finger and/or the additional element guide, and/or guided along the additional element guide. The described functions of the guide finger also counteract a disrupted transport of the additional elements and can support each other.

For the acceleration of the method, an applicator wheel comprising a plurality of applicators uniformly distributed about a common pivoting axis, in particular an axis of rotation, can be pivoted about the common pivoting axis, in particular rotated about the common axis of rotation. For the sake of simplicity, the pivoting axis or the axis of rotation is the positioning pivoting axis or the positioning axis of rotation.

Alternatively or additionally, this results in a simplification of the method in that the packages are transported over at least one transportation belt, in particular comprising recesses or cams for interacting with packages, along a transport track adjacent to the application position of the at least one applicator. This can be done without affecting the application of the additional elements to the packages. In addition, the transport speed can be easily adapted to the application speed of the application apparatus.

The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of a drawing merely depicting an exemplary embodiment, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first application device according to the invention in a schematic top view,

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the application device from FIG. 1 in a schematic top view,

FIG. 3 shows a detail of the application device from FIG. 1 in a schematic side view,

FIGS. 4A-B shows a detail of the application apparatus from FIG. 3 in a side view and a perspective view, and

FIG. 5 shows an applicator of the application apparatus from FIG. 3 in a top view.

In FIG. 1, an application device 1 for applying additional elements 2 in the form of straws is depicted. The application device 1 is supplied with a belt 3 made of two sealed-together, in particular transparent, plastic films, between which straws are provided at regular intervals. Accordingly, the belt 3 is formed by an interconnected series of blister packs 4 and drawn in by a supply device 5 which comprises a supply carousel 6 having recesses 7 distributed over the circumference and a belt guide 8 arranged at least partially around the supply carousel 6. The supply carousel 6 rotates about a central axis of rotation 9 in a stepwise manner in a clockwise direction. With each rotation step, another straw is received in a recess 7 of the supply carousel 6. The belt 3 of plastic films and straws remains held between the supply carousel 6 and the belt guide 8. After each rotation step of the supply carousel 6, the belt 3 of plastic films and straws is separated in a cutting position 10 by a separating device 11 by means of a cutting blade 12. In this way, the straws are separated in a stepwise manner.

Each straw, together with the plastic films, between which the straws are respectively sealed, forms an additional element 2 which is provided for application on a package 13. The corresponding packages 13 are transported at another point of the application device 1 by a transport device 14 successively along a transport track 15 along or through the application device 1. For this purpose, the transport device 14 comprises a transportation belt 16 with a series of cams 17 which extend in the direction of the transport track 15 of the packages 13. The transportation belt 16 extends laterally to the packages 13 and laterally to the transport track 15 of the packages 13. In the depicted and insofar preferred application device 1, the packages 13 are cuboid. However, the packages 13 may also have a different shape. It is not shown in detail that the transportation belt 16 is formed as a continuous belt and continuously revolves around guide rollers of the transport device 14.

After further rotation steps, the separated additional elements 2 are relayed to a delivery device 18 from the supply carousel 6 of the supply device 5. The individual additional elements 2 each pass into a recess 19 of a delivery wheel 20, which turns in a swelling manner, i.e. with repeatedly varying speed, in an anti-clockwise direction and cooperates in sections with a radially adjacent delivery guide 21 to hold the additional elements 2 in the recesses 19 and thus to accelerate to the circumferential speed of applicators 22 of an applicator wheel 23 driven continuously at an at least substantially constant speed, from which the additional elements 2 are picked up at a pick-up position 24 from the delivery wheel 20. Thus, the applicators 22 engage in the delivery wheel 20 and thus create an interlocking with the additional elements 2. As a result of the interlocking between the applicators 22 and the additional elements 2, the additional elements 2 are removed from the delivery wheel 20 and then moved between the corresponding applicator 22 and an additional element guide 25 in the direction of the packages 13. In this case, the applicator 22 reaches the application position 27, in which the applicator 22 delivers or applies the associated additional element 2 to the package 13 transported along the transport track 15 past the application position 27 of the applicator 22, in particular to the side surface 28 facing the applicator 22 in the application position 27.

So that the additional element 2 remains securely held on the package 13 against which the additional element is pressed, the package 13 has previously been provided with adhesive. However, alternatively or additionally, the additional element 2 could be provided with an adhesive, for example, immediately before the application of the additional element 2 or even before supplying the additional elements 2 in the form of the belt 3.

FIG. 2 shows the application of the additional elements 2 to the packages 13 in detail. The additional elements 2 are transported with the applicators 22 on the additional element guide 25 along an arc-shaped section to the packages 13 or to the application position 27 of the applicators 22. The applicator wheel 23 preferably rotates continuously in a clockwise direction about a positioning axis of rotation 26. Hence, the provided applicators 22 are moved continuously and circularly about the positioning axis of rotation 26 of the applicator wheel 23.

The applicators 22 comprise a guide finger 29 which engages in the delivery wheel 20 and behind the additional elements 2 in an interlocking manner. The guide finger 29 is arranged fixed on the depicted and insofar preferred applicators 22. The guide finger 29 presses the additional elements 2 out of the delivery wheel 20 and against the additional element guide 25. The additional elements 2 are thus partially held by an application finger 30, in particular at least partially received in a recess of an application finger 30. The guide finger 29 and the application finger 30 hold the additional element 2 between the pick-up position 24 and the application position 27 of the applicators 22 in contact with the additional element guide 25. The additional elements 2 can in this case not slip off the applicators 22 because the additional elements 2 are held in an interlocking manner by the guide finger 27 of the applicators 22. In the application position 27, the application finger 30 delivers or applies the additional elements 2 to the packages 13.

The additional element guide 25 ends on or just before the application position 27 of the applicators 22, at which the applicators 22 deliver or apply the additional elements 2 to the packages 13. The packages 13 can already be provided with adhesive for this purpose. If the additional elements 2 are no longer guided by the additional element guide 25 in the application position 27, the application finger 30 presses the additional elements 2 against the package 13 guided past the application position 27 of the applicators 22. The packages 13 are guided past the application position 27 of the applicators 22 at a speed which at least substantially corresponds to the circumferential speed of the applicators 22, in particular the transport speed of the additional elements 2. Before the application of the additional elements 2, the packages 13 are also in contact with the additional element guide 25, but on another guide surface 31 than the additional elements 2, specifically an outer guide surface 31 and not on the inner guide surface 32 of the additional element guide 25 coming into contact with the additional elements 2. In the depicted and insofar preferred application device 1, the outer guide surface 31 is provided such that the packages 13 come in contact with the corresponding guide surface 31 of the additional element guide 25 along the transport track 15 only just before the application of the additional elements 2. Thus, the additional elements 2 and the packages 13 are oriented to one another via the guide surfaces 31, 32 before the delivery or application of the additional elements 2.

Immediately after or at the same time as the application of the additional elements 2 to the packages 13, the additional elements 2 are held by a positioning belt 33 in the corresponding position relative to the package 13 until an adhesive bond is established between the package 13 and the additional element 2. The adhesive bond reliably prevents accidental release or shifting of the additional element 2. The positioning belt 33 is designed as a continuous belt which continuously rotates about deflections 34. Thus, in the depicted and insofar preferred application device 1, the positioning belt 33 is guided around the deflection 34 associated with the applicator wheel 23 such that the positioning belt 33 extends in the region of the application position 27 and subsequently at least substantially parallel to the transport track 15 of the packages 13, specifically at an interval from the packages 13 which corresponds at least substantially to the width of the additional elements 2. In order to reliably hold the additional elements 2 on the packages 13 in the desired position and orientation, the transport speed of the packages 13 corresponds at least substantially to the transport speed of the positioning belt 33. This preferably applies at least substantially in the region in which the positioning belt 33 and the transport track extend adjacent and parallel to one another.

The positioning belt 33 is lastly guided towards the packages 13 and the additional elements 2 only in the vicinity of the application position 27 of the applicators 22. For this purpose, the deflection 34 has for the positioning belt 33 a deflection axis of rotation 35, which is spaced apart from the positioning axis of rotation 26 of the applicators 22 or the applicator wheel 23 in the direction of the application position 27 of the additional elements 2 to the packages 13. However, the axes of rotation 26, 35 are oriented at least substantially parallel to each other in the depicted and insofar preferred application device 1. Thereby and by the radius of the deflection 34 it is achieved that the positioning belt 33 neither hinders the guiding of the additional elements 2 to the packages 13 along the additional element guide 25, nor the actual application of the additional elements 2 by the applicators 22 in the application position 27. Rather, the positioning belt 33 is slowly guided to the additional elements 2 so that the positioning belt 33 is only brought into contact with the additional elements 2 during the application of the additional elements 2 to the packages 13. In other words, between the additional element guide 25 and the positioning belt 33, a gap 36 tapering in the direction of the application position 27 of the applicators 22 is formed, the gap width of which corresponds at least substantially to the width of the additional elements 2 in the application position 27 of the applicators 22. Thus, the additional elements 2, at least substantially at the point of application of the additional elements 2 by the applicators 22, come into contact with the positioning belt 33, which then holds the additional elements 2 on the packages 13 or presses them against the packages 13.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of the application device 1 in a side view, from which the transport of the additional elements 2 from the pick-up position 24 of the applicators 22 to the application position 27 of the applicators 22 and the application of the additional elements 2 on the packages 13 transported past the applicator wheel 23 along the transport track 15 by means of the transportation belt 16 can be seen. The additional elements 2 are removed by means of the guide finger 29 from the delivery wheel 20 (not shown in FIG. 3). For this purpose, the guide finger 29 engages behind the additional element 2 and then guides the additional element 2 away from the delivery wheel 20 and towards the additional element guide 25, along which the applicator 22 moves the additional element 2 to the application position 27 of the applicator 22. In this case, the applicator 22, like the entire applicator wheel 23, rotates about the positioning axis of rotation 26. During the application of the additional elements 2 on the side surfaces 28 of the packages 13, the additional elements 2 come into contact with the positioning belt 33, which rotates about the deflection 34. The deflection rotates about a deflection axis of rotation 35, which is spaced apart from the positioning axis of rotation to the application position 27, so that the positioning belt 33 only comes into contact with the additional elements 2 during the application of the additional elements 2 to the packages 13 or immediately thereafter. In order to return from the application position 27 to the pick-up position 24 after the application of the additional element 2 has taken place, the applicator 22, together with the applicator wheel 23, continues to rotate about the positioning axis of rotation 26.

In the depicted and insofar preferred application device 1, the additional elements 2 are picked up in a pick-up orientation by the applicators 22 in the pick-up position, in which the additional elements 2 are oriented at least substantially parallel to the positioning axis of rotation 26 of the applicator wheel 23. From this pick-up orientation of the additional elements 2, the additional elements 2 are pivoted on the way to the application position 27 of the applicators 22 to an application orientation. However, this is not the pivoting of the additional elements 2 due to the rotation of the additional elements 2 about the positioning axis 26 for adjusting the applicators 22 from the pick-up position 24 to the application position 27, but a pivoting about an orientation pivoting axis 37. The applicators 22 pivot about this orientation pivoting axis 37 while rotating about the positioning axis of rotation 26. This has the consequence that not only the additional elements 2 are pivoted from a pick-up orientation to an application orientation between the pick-up position 24 and the application position 27 of the applicators 22, but that also the applicators 22 between the pick-up position 24 and the application position 27 are pivoted from a pick-up orientation to an application orientation.

In the depicted and insofar preferred application device 1 in the pick-up orientation, the additional elements 2 are oriented parallel to the positioning axis of rotation 26 and in the application orientation diagonally to the associated side surface 28 of the package 13. Thus, the additional elements 2 in the application orientation are inclined by about 45° relative to the positioning axis of rotation 26. In this case, the applicators 22 are correspondingly pivoted from a respective pick-up orientation to an application orientation and back again, so as to return to a starting position in the pick-up position 24 after a complete revolution about the positioning axis of rotation 26. In addition, the orientation pivoting axis 37 is oriented at least approximately at right angles to the positioning axis of rotation 26. The pivoting of the applicators 22 about the orientation pivoting axis 37 may take place independently of the rotation of the applicators 22 about the positioning axis of rotation 26. Thus, the two adjusting movements of the applicators 22 can be adapted to specific requirements independently of each other. The adjusting movements of the applicators 22 are in fact carried out so as to overlap each other, specifically the pivoting movement of the applicators 22 about the orientation pivoting axis 37 in dependence on the position of the applicators 22 with respect to the positioning axis of rotation 26. For this purpose, the application apparatus 38 is provided with a cam disc 39, which has a control cam 40.

A detail of the application apparatus 38, which illustrates the pivoting of the applicators 22 about the orientation pivoting axes 37, is shown in FIG. 4A-B. A roller 42 engaged against the control cam 40 by means of a spring means 41 runs along on the control cam 40. The roller 42 is connected to the applicator 22 via a lever means 43, which may be designed as a pivot lever. In addition, the applicator 22 is held pivotably in a holder 45 of the application apparatus 38 via a holding section 44. The control cam 40 is provided circumferentially to the cam disc 39 with a closed cam track along which the applicators 22 run with their rollers 42 while rotating about the positioning axis of rotation 26. By approaching or removing the control cam 40 with respect to the applicator wheel 23, the roller 42 is pivoted up or down about the associated orientation pivoting axis 37. This pivoting movement is due to the connection of the applicator 22 via the lever means 43 with the roller 42 accompanied by a corresponding pivoting of the applicator 22, wherein the applicator 22, via the holding section 44, is held pivotably in the recess or holder 45 of the part of the applicator wheel 23 rotating with the applicator 22 about the positioning axis of rotation 26.

For better clarity, an applicator 22 is shown separately in FIG. 5. The applicator 22 is connected to the holding section 44 via a rod section 46. The rod section 46 in the present applicator 22 is designed such that the orientation pivoting axis 37 of the applicator 22 and the longitudinal axis of the rod section 46 coincide. A lever means 43 for transmitting a torque to the rod section 46 is connected to the rod section 46. The roller 42 is associated with the free end of the lever means 43 for rolling along on the control cam 40. Furthermore, a spring means 41 is associated with the rod section 46, which spring means always sets the roller 42 against the control cam 40. The control cam 40 and the rollers rolling thereon are part of the control device 50 for adjusting the applicators 22 about the orientation pivoting axis 37.

The actual applicator 22 comprises a base 47 with which the applicator 22 is fixed to the applicator wheel 23 or the rod section 46. The guide finger 29 extends outwards in relation to the base 47. The application finger 30 is provided adjacent to the guide finger 29, which application finger is pivotably secured on the base 47 of the applicator 22 about a pivoting axis 48. In addition, a spring means 49 is provided between the base 47 and the application finger 30, which spring means provides the pivoting of the application finger 30 to an outer position as long as the application finger 30 is not blocked by an interlocking. This is the case if the applicator 22 holds an additional element 2 and the application finger 30 presses the additional element 2 outwards against the additional element guide 25. After passing through the additional element guide 25 and upon reaching the application position 27 of the applicator 22, the application finger 30 no longer pushes the additional element 2 against the additional element guide 25, but against the adjacent package 13. If necessary, the application finger 30 pivots slightly outwards in the direction of the package 13. However, insofar as the side surface 28 of the package 13 adjacent to the applicator 22 during application of the additional element 2 is aligned with the inner guide surface 32 of the additional element guide 25, an outward pivoting of the application finger 30 about the associated pivoting axis 49 can be dispensed with.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Application device

2 Additional elements

3 Belt

4 Blister pack

5 Supply device

6 Supply carousel

7 Recesses

8 Belt guide

9 Central axis of rotation

10 Cutting position

11 Separating device

12 Cutting blade

13 Package

14 Transport device

15 Transport track

16 Transportation belt

17 Cams

18 Delivery device

19 Recess

20 Delivery wheel

21 Delivery guide

22 Applicators

23 Applicator wheel

24 Pick-up position

25 Additional element guide

26 Positioning axis of rotation

27 Application position

28 Side surface

29 Guide finger

30 Application finger

31 Outer guide surface

32 Inner guide surface

33 Positioning belt

34 Deflections

35 Deflection axis of rotation

36 Gap

37 Orientation pivoting axis

38 Application apparatus

39 Cam disc

40 Control cam

41 Spring means

42 Roller

43 Lever means

44 Holding section

45 Holder

46 Rod section

47 Base

48 Pivoting axis

49 Spring means

50 Control device 

1. An application device for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, having at least one transport device for transporting the packages along a transport track and having at least one application apparatus comprising at least one applicator for applying the additional elements to the package, wherein the applicator is provided on the application apparatus to be adjustable from a pick-up position for picking up the additional elements, to an application position for applying the additional elements to the packages and back, wherein the at least one application apparatus, as a result of an adjustment, in particular of the applicator, overlapping with the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, is designed for picking up the additional elements in a pick-up orientation in space by the applicator and for applying the additional elements in an application orientation inclined from the pick-up orientation in space by the applicator and wherein the at least one applicator is associated with a control device for controlling the adjustment of the applicator between the pick-up orientation and the application orientation, characterised in that the control device is designed for the forced adjustment of the applicator as a result of the adjustment of the applicator between the pick-up position and the application position and in that the at least one control device comprises at least one roller for rolling along on a control cam of the application apparatus when adjusting the applicator between the pick-up position and the application position.
 2. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one applicator arranged on the application apparatus to be pivotable about a positioning pivoting axis from the pick-up position to the application position and back, in particular to be rotatable about a positioning axis of rotation.
 3. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one applicator is arranged on the application apparatus to be pivotable about an orientation pivoting axis, or to be rotatable about an orientation axis of rotation from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back, and in that, preferably, the applicator is pivoted or rotated in the application orientation with respect to the pick-up orientation at least 10°, preferably at least 20°, in particular at least 30°, particularly preferably at least 40°.
 4. The application device according to claim 3, characterised in that the orientation pivoting axis or the orientation axis of rotation forms an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 45°, in particular at least 70°, particularly preferably at least 80° with the positioning pivoting axis or the positioning axis of rotation.
 5. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one applicator is associated with a holding section which is pivotably or rotatably held in the application apparatus for the pivotable or rotatable holding of the applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that the roller is connected to the applicator for pivoting or rotating the at least one applicator via at least one lever means.
 8. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of applicators, in particular forming an applicator wheel, is uniformly distributed around a common pivoting axis, in particular a common axis of rotation.
 9. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one applicator comprises a spring-loaded application finger adjustable, in particular pivotable, in the direction of an additional element guide for guiding the additional element from the pick-up position to the application position and/or in the direction of a package, for at least partially receiving the additional element, for applying the additional element and/or for holding the additional element, in particular on the additional element guide, and/or in that the at least one applicator, in particular adjacent to the application finger, comprises a guide finger for guiding the additional element in an interlocking manner from the pick-up position to the application position, in particular along the additional element guide, and/or for picking up the additional element in the pick-up position in an interlocking manner.
 10. The application device according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one transportation belt, in particular comprising recesses or cams for interacting with packages, is provided for transporting the packages along the transport track and in that, preferably, the transportation belt is provided on the side of the packages facing away from the applicator.
 11. A method for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, preferably by using an application device according to claim 1, in which the additional elements arranged in an application orientation in space are picked up by at least one applicator in a pick-up position, in which the additional elements are adjusted by an adjusting movement of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, in which the additional elements are adjusted in space by an adjusting movement of an application apparatus, in particular the applicator, from the pick-up orientation to an application orientation, overlapping the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, in which the at least one applicator is forcibly adjusted from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation and back as a result of the adjustment of the applicator between the pick-up position and the application position by a control device, and in which when adjusting the applicator, a roller of the control device rolls along on a control cam of the application apparatus and thus controls the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up orientation to the application orientation.
 12. The method according to claim 11, in which the additional elements are pivoted about a positioning pivoting axis, in particular rotated about a positioning axis of rotation by an adjusting movement of the at least one applicator from the pick-up position to the application position, and/or in which the additional elements are pivoted by an adjusting movement of an application apparatus, in particular the applicator, from the pick-up orientation in space to an application orientation in space overlapping the adjustment of the applicator from the pick-up position to the application position about an alignment pivoting axis preferably engaging with the alignment pivoting axis at an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 45°, in particular at least 70°, particularly preferably at least 80°, in particular pivoted by at least 10°, preferably at least 20°, in particular at least 30°, particularly preferably at least 40°.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The method according to claim 11, in which the additional element is at least partially received, is held, is guided along an additional element guide and/or applied to a package by a spring-loaded application finger and/or in which the additional element is picked up by a guide finger in the pick-up position, held between the pick-up position and the application position, in particular together with the application finger and/or the additional element guide, and/or guided along the additional element guide.
 15. The method according to claim 11, in which an applicator wheel comprising a plurality of applicators uniformly distributed around a common pivoting axis, in particular an axis of rotation is pivoted about the common pivoting axis, in particular rotated about the common axis of rotation.
 16. The method according to claim 11, in which the packages transported by at least one transportation belt, comprising in particular recesses or cams interacting with packages, along a transport track adjacent to the application position of the at least one applicator. 